What's Happening

This year's Advent worship services will be held on Wednesdays, December 2, 9, and 16, at 7:05 p.m.​Advent is about the "coming days." God's people have always lived in great expectation, but that expectation finds specific, repeated enunciation in the texts appointed for these four weeks. The ancients anticipated a "righteous Branch to spring up for David." The Thessalonians awaited "the coming of our Lord Jesus with all the saints." Our Lord's contemporaries hoped for the time "to stand before the Son of Man." With them we eagerly await the coming days: another Christmas celebration, a second coming, and the advent of our Lord in word and supper.

Everyone is invited to join us from 9:45A - 10:45A for our 4th Annual Breakfast in Bethlehem. Stroll through the Bethlehem marketplace. Stop at different stores and observe the activities that are going on. Make crafts, have breakfast, and visit Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. Have your picture taken as either an angel or shepherd. We will also have some new activities this year. On your way out of town don't forget to stop by the Bethlehem Bakery. We hope to see you in Bethlehem, where there is room for everyone.

Then, stay for the Christmas Cantata at 11:00 a.m. during the service.

The Stewardship Campaign this year is "Stewardship: Our Service For All," which was inspired by "[Their responsibility is] to equip God's people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ" - Ephesians 4:12. After November, we should all be able to say "I want to help serve at St. Luke." The members of St. Luke have many members with exceptional God given abilities that should be shared with the church and our community. During the month of November, Stewardship has been showing how we can serve St. Luke and thank you for joining us as we give thanks to God for all the things He has given us.

Thank you for prayerfully considering your gifts to God through St. Luke for 2016. There will be an Estimate of Giving card in your bulletin this week. At the end of the service you will have an opportunity to place your card in a box for your confidential commitment. Thank you for answering God's call.

Southeastern Synod Assistant to the Bishop Dr. Ben Moravitz will present our message this Sunday at both services.​Stewardship will be providing a dinner this Sunday, November 22, at 12:15P to give thanks for all that you as members St. Luke have given. Come out and grab a plate!

Stewardship will provide stuffing and potatoes. We are asking members to provide the following:

Lifeblood will be at St. Luke on November 15 from 8:30A—1:00P in the CFC.

Lifeblood is the Memphis region's only non-profit volunteer blood center, dedicated to meeting the needs of patients, healthcare facilities, medical professionals and the community at large. Every year Lifeblood supplies more than 100,000 units of blood and blood products for local patient transfusion.

Because Memphis is the eighth largest medical center in the United States and hosts the second busiest trauma center in the nation, the need for blood is constant. Unfortunately, over one-third of our blood supply is currently being imported from other volunteer blood centers throughout the country.

The donation process only takes about one hour and takes place entirely at St. Luke. Each donation of whole blood can help as many as 3 recipients - all of them our neighbors.

A sign-up sheet is located on the bulletin board outside the office. Please contact Jon Klein (jdklein18@gmail.com, 574-250-2597), the St. Luke Lifeblood Coordinator, with any questions.

We are planning a special gathering of the Women of the ELCA (WELCA) at St. Luke on November 14 at 9:30A. This event will be for women of all ages and is not just for those who are already participating in a WELCA group. Mark your calendars for a morning event that will include a presentation by speaker Karin Conlee, a light breakfast, and fellowship with your sisters at St. Luke. Feel free to contact Barbara Anderson if you have questions. Please sign up by November 9 on the communication card, email patti@stlukememphis.org, or call 756-8850.